Box Score

The Hokies remain undefeated at the Cassell (6-0) this season after a 79-49 thrashing of the charleston southern buccaneers. A.D. Vassallo led the Hokies with a season-high 21 points, while Jeff Allen got another double-double with 10 points (all in the second half) and 10 rebounds.

The Hokies got off to their customary slow start missing the first four shots, but finally got hot when Vassallo opened the scoring with a layup 2:39 into the game. Jeff Allen got a quick steal and dished to Deron Washington off the break to put the Hokies up 4-0. From there, it was on like Donkey Kong … yeah, I said it.

Tech ripped off a 16-0 run and the defense was nothing short of suffocating, holding the bucs to their lowest point total of the season. Vassallo led the charge with 14 points in the first half. The impressive run was probably the best basketball I have seen from Tech this season (keeping in mind I didn’t actually see the Hoftra game, which I heard was pretty good).

Seth Greenberg’s guys were patient and moved the ball around until they found the open shot. They controlled the tempo and forced charleston southern to play the Hokies’ game. The bucs couldn’t do anything against Tech’s defense and even though he didn’t score, Lewis Witcher, who started this game, played great inside on the defensive end. But, dude has no offensive game - his only two shots missed badly … very badly.

The Hokies finally dropped out of the zone they were in during the 16-0 run and let the bucs play them even (24-24) for the remaining 12:30 of the first half. The Hokies took that 16-point lead into the break.

The second half got a little interesting when the Hokies let the bucs get to within *gasp* 13 points early in the second half before Tech clamped down and poured it on. Midway through the half, Washington got his obligatory monster rim-rocker and Jeff Allen answered immediately with a thunderous dunk with the assist from Deron. Both dunks evoked a “bring the thunder!” cry from my 2-1/2 year old son … atta boy.

Cope-acabana’s Observations:

Tech held the bucs scoreless for the first 7:30 and during that stretch, I saw a lot of Jeff Allen guarding out at the top of the key and I am just blown away by how quick and agile he is for a man his size … Allen had 2 steals in the game.

Cheick Diakite was a beast tonight. He played 20 very inspired minutes; scored a season-high 8 points; and blocked 4 shots.

Tech did a good job sharing the ball recording as season-high 25 assists, which even surprised game MVP Hank Thorns (10 points, 3 assists) during the post game interview. Malcolm Delaney led the Hokies with 8 assists

Quality playing time was spread pretty evenly amongst the regulars in this game with nine players getting double-digit minutes. At the same time, I wonder if that helped or hurt. After the 16-0 run, Tech’s offense never really found a rhythm. Yes, the 79 points looks impressive, but there was no real flow.

Tech has only played six home games this season compared to 11 or 12 for most ACC teams, but that all changes as the Hokies get 15 straight conference games starting Saturday at home against maryland. The Hokies won last year’s meeting at the Cassell 67-64 in overtime.

That’s all for me folks … I’ll let Niemo and Wick fill in the gaps.

Niemo’s Notes:

• The starting lineup wasn’t interesting (Allen, Witcher, Washington, Vassallo, and Delaney), but the positions were: Washington was listed at guard while Vassallo was listed at forward.
• VT caused 23 turnovers and gave up just 10.  A pretty big turnaround from their 24 turnovers at richmond.
• Jeff Allen notched his sixth double-double of the season.  He also has missed two more by just one rebound.  Tech only had eight as a team last year.
• Vassallo’s 21 ties Allen for the most points in a game this year.
• Eight of Tech’s last 10 opponent’s have been held under 40% shooting after four of the first five teams surpassed that mark.
• Dorenzo Hudson had his first poor game since getting increased minutes against wake.  He was just 1/5 and 0/3 on three’s.
• VT’s 24 three’s in the game were the most they’ve shot this season.  However, they have hit just 9 of their last 39 (24%) after hitting over 40% early in the season.
• Is it me or is every Tech home game exactly the same?  Shoot, we should just do Find/Replace on the opponent’s name in these recaps.